THE KAISER.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 23 January 1917, Page 2

THE KAISER.

JEALOUSY OF HINDENBURG. A neutral merchant who has just returned from a tour of Germany, Austria and Holland, said that what impressed him most in Germany was the tremendous popularity of Field-Marshal von Hindenhurg. Every shop window, every dwelling, every theatre, hotel, cafe and restaurant is placarded "ith hl s picture. Flays, dishes, children are named after him, and in the streets when his name is mentioned in the course of conversation, men lift their hats. , . The story of von Hinacnourg s fall and rise (said he) is told with much gusto. It appears that not very long p e fore the present battle was started, the Kaiser and von 'Hindenhurg were engaged in a sham battle, during the regular army manoeuvres not far from the Russian border. The Kaiser was utterly defeated by von Hindenhurg s strategy and manoeuvres. Finally, von Hindenhurg approached the Kaiser, and said, “Your Majesty, you are my prisoner. ! ’ The Kaiser was furious and openly showed hi s state of mind. Shortly after von Hindenhurg was pensioned, and the general belief was that he was on the shelf. However, they could not keep him down. When the war started von Hindenhurg wrote a personal letter to the Kaiser requesting a command. To this the Kaiser paid no attention. Influential friends interceded for him, but to no avail. Finally, when the Russians were on the point o breaking through the German lines von Hindenhurg's name was again pace ■before the Kaiser as the only man m Genoanv who knew every inch ot territory along the Russian border ThV Kaiser relented and placed him in command. Ho was dining in a little restaurant in Berlin when von Hmdenburg received word of his command. Ho did not stop to finish his dinnci, laid out his plans and wired his orders, continuing to do so as his train sped to the eastern front. He made good—- . so good that he stands now even above the Kaiser in the Empire.